Letter: Not all abusive priests on list


Telegraph Herald
May 22, 2015

http://www.telegraphherald.com/news/opinion/article_31a4d07f-930c-532f-aba2-d829858d19e6.html

FROM JAMES N. GORDON 11901 W. MCDOWELL ROAD, AVONDALE, ARIZ

The Archdiocese of Dubuque has posted on its website a list of "priests against whom public accusations of sexual abuse of minors have been made and/or lawsuits have been filed." I applaud the Archdiocese for publishing this list. In 2002, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops pledged "openness and transparency" in dealing with sexually abusive priests.

However, only 27 dioceses, of 195 US dioceses, have published lists of accused priests. Such lists are a necessary step toward helping parents protect their children from sexually abusive priests.

I am writing to make a public accusation against a priest not on the Dubuque Archdiocese list.

Beginning about 1954, when I was 14 years old and living at Aurora, the Rev. Norbert Showalter began sexually abusing me in the St. Mary's Parish Rectory, Lamont. I never told anyone about this abuse at the time. I felt nobody would believe me, and my parents would severely punish me for talking about such things.

This abuse continued until I ran away from home at age 16.

It was 50 years before I told anyone about my sexual abuse by Rev. Showalter.

I hope my public accusation encourages other sexual abuse victims of Father Showalter to come forward, and begin their healing.